Air-compressor and intercooler.



No 849,633. PATENTBD APR. 2, 1907,

J. G. LEY NER. 1

AIR COMPRESSOR AND INTER COOLER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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J. G. LEYNER.

AIR OOMPRESSORAND INTERGOOLBR. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. z, 1903.

7H5 NORRIS PETERS co. WASHINGTON, u. c.

PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

PATBNTED' APR. .2, 1907.

. J. 0. LEYNER. AIR COMPRESSOR AND INTERGOOLBR.

AYPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

J. GILEYNER. AIR COMPRESSOR AND INTERGOOLBR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

J. G. LBYNER. AIR COMPRESSOR AND INTEROOOLER.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT. 2, 1903.

5 SKEIITS-SHEET 5.

JOHN GEORGE LEYNER,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF DENVER, COLORADO.

AIR-COMPRESSOR AND INTERCOOLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 2, 1907.

Original application filed October 1, 1902, Serial No. 125,539. Divided and this application filed September 2,1903. Serial 1'0 all whom, it TIMI/Z] conceive:

Be it known that I, J OI'IN GEORGE LEYNER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Oom pressors and Intercoolers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in air-compressors of the intercooling type.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide means for thoroughly and evenly mixing and cooling the air as it is compressed; second, to provide means for preventing the formation of air-currents as the air is compressed, such air-currents tending to prevent an even cooling; third, to provide for reversing the direction of travel of the air as it is being compressed and for causing it. to pass in a circuituous manner through separate groups of tubes, which are incased in a waterjacketed cylinder, so that during the course of its passage through the compressor it will be thoroughly cooled and evenly mixed and is delivered in this condition to a suitable storage-tank. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section of an air-compressor embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one end of the compressing-cylinder, the head being removed. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the cylinder on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section through the forward end of the cylinder on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, the air-valves being omitted. Fig. 5 is a similar view through the rear end of the cylinder on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1, the valves at this end of the cylinder also being omitted. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the inner face of the front cylinder-head, the air-inlet valve being omitted. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the same on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the inner face of the rear cylinder-head, showing the air-exit passages; and Fig. 9 is a section through the same on the line 9 9 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates asuitable bed-plate, and 2 the foundation to which the bed-plate is secured. The bed-plate is provided centrally with an aperture 3, which registers with an airconduit 4, form cd in the foundation and which leads in any desired direction to the atmosphere.

The numeral 5 designates a water-jacketed low-pressure air-compression cylinder. which is suitably secured to the bed-plate and which comprises the here or piston-chamber 6, a water-chamber 7, which surrounds the piston-chamber, and a jacket 8, which incloses the water chamber. The waterchamber 7 extends to within a short distance of each end of the cylinder, where it is closed by annular heads 9 and 10, which extend from the shell of the piston-chamber t0 the waterjackct. from the bore or piston-chamber to the outer shell are closed by head ends 11 and 12, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and between these head ends and the annular heads 9 and 10 of the water-chamber are formed annular airspaces 13 and 14, which are connected with each other by a system of pipes which extend through the water-chamber, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The water-chamber is provided with outlet-pipes 15 and 16 and with an inlet-pipe which is not shown. At each end of the piston-chamber a counterbore 6 is formed, and each head end is provided with threaded holes 17, which receive bolts 18, by which the forward and rear cylinder heads 19 and 20, respectively, are secured to the cylinder. The front cylinderhcad 19 is hollow and is provided centrally with an integral hub portion 21, in which is located a suitable stufling-box 22, through which passes the piston-rod 23. The end of the piston-rod entering the cylinder is threaded, and upon this threaded end is secured a piston-head 241, while its opposite end connects with a steam-engine or other suit able piston-operating power-m0tor. (Not shown.) The piston-head is preferably cast hollow and in one piece, and its opposite ends are connected by bolts 25, which serve to clamp or lock the piston-head upon the threaded end of the pistonr0d, so as to pre vent the same turning thereon or from becoming accidentally displaced.

The front cylinder-head 19 is cast hollow in order to provide an air-space 26, which con- The ends of the cylinder IIO nects by openings 27 (see Fig. 7) with an air- I passage 28, formed in the bed-plate, which in turn connects with the air conduit 4. Strengthening ribs and studs 29 and 30, respectively, extend from one wall of the cylinder-head to the other and serve to brace the inner wall against the pressure exerted upon it by the air in the cylinder. The inner face of the cylinder-head is provided with an annular projection 31, which fits within the counterbore 6 and through this projection and the opposite wall of the cylinder-head are formed a plurality of holes 32, in which are seated air-inlet valves 33. These holes 32 are preferably arranged in a circle concentric to the axis of the piston and cylinder and within the radius of the bore of the piston. The air-inlet valves each comprise a housing 34, which-is inserted and secured within the cylinder-head from its outside face, a valve stem 35, which is secured to the outer end of the housing and has a head at its opposite end, a valve 36, which is made in the form of a sleeve and has a sliding movement on the valve-stem, and a spring 37, which encircles the valve-stem and is interposed between a shoulder in the outer end of the valve and the head on the inner end of the valve-stem. A valve-seat is formed in the inner end of each housing 34, against which the valve is normally held by the spring 37. These valves connect the interior of the cylinder with the air-s ace in the cylinder-head, which receives air t rough the bed-plate and conduit in the foundation in the manner before described.

The head ends 11 and 12 of the cylinder are each provided with groups of holes 38, 39, and 40, the upper group of holes 38 being much larger in diameter than the side groups 39 and the lower group 40, and the annular heads 9 and of the water-chamber are each provided with groups of holes 41, 42, and 43, the holes in each group being in axial alinement with the holes in the corresponding groups in the head end of the cylinder.

The holes in the head ends of the cylinder are of slightly-greater diameter than the corresponding holes in the heads of the waterchamber, and this arrangement enables the groups of air-pipes 44, 45, and 46, which extend from the air-space 13 at one end of the cylinder to the air-space 14 at the opposite end of the cylinder, to be easily slid through the head ends and into the heads of the water-chamber, in which their ends are rigidly secured in any suitable manner, so as to make a water-tight connection with the said heads. The three groups ofpipes thus extend through the water-chamber and form a communication between the two air-spaces at the opposite ends of the cylinder. The air-space in the front end of the cylinder is divided into two compartments 47 and 48 by partitions 49, which extends from the shell of duit 4.

the cylinder to the waterjacket. (See Fig.

4.) These partitions are so positioned that the upper compartments 47 shall communicate with the group of large pipes 44 only, while the lower air-compartment 48 communicates with both the side groups of pipes and the bottom group 46. The air-space in the rear end. of the cylinder is also divided into an upper compartment 50 and a lower compartment 51 by partitions 52, which are so positioned that the upper compartment 50 communicates with the group of large pipe 44 and also with the two side groups 45, while the lower compartment communicates only with the lower group of pipes 46.

In each of the upper air-compartments 47 and 50 are located a plurality of airvalves 53 and 53, respectively, which are arranged radially with respect to the axis of the cylinder. Each of these valves comprise a casing 54, which is externally and internally threaded at its upper end and reduced in diameter at its lower end, which is also formed with a valve-seat, a valve 55, which normally rests in the seat and has an upwardly-projecting stem, a plug 56, which screws into the top of the casing and has a downwardly-projecting member having a central bore into which the valve-stem extends, and a conical expansion-spring 57, which is interposed between the lower end of the plug and the valve, so as to hold said valve normally upon its seat. Beneath each of the valves in compartments 47 and 50, and registering with their seats are holes 58 and 58, respectively, which extend through the shell of the cylinder and form a communication between the interior of the cylinder and the upper air-compartments 47 and 50 and within the air-compartments recesses 59 are formed in the cylindershell around each hole 58 and 58 and in the recesses are fitted I the lower reduced ends of the casings 54, while their upper ends screw into threaded holes 60 in the water-jacket. Openings 61 are formed in opposite sides of each casing through which the air from the cylinder passes into the upper compartments 47 and 50. Thus the air which is compressed in the cylinder is forced through the valves into the air-compartments 47 and 50 alternately, and thence through the groups of air-pipes, as will presently be more fully explained. The drawings illustrate four large air-pipes 44 and four air-valves 53 and 53*, respectively, in each compartment 47 50, but a larger number of pipes and valves would be employed with cylinders of greater diameter. The rear cylinder-head 20 is provided with an interior air-space 62, into which the air is drawn through openings 63, (see Fig. 9,) which communicate with the main air-con- This head is also provided with a plurality of air-inlet valves 64, which are seated in holes 64, arranged in a circle concentric with the axis of the head, and are in all respects similar to those in the front cylinder-head. Within the air-space 62 and on either side of the inlet-openings 63 are par titions 65, which inclose air-passages 66, through which the air from the lower compartment 51 of the cylinder passes to any suitable place of storage. These partitions 65 separate the air which is drawn into the airspace 62 on the forward movement of the piston from the air which passes from the lower compartment through the passages 66 to the place of storage. Holes 66 connect the compartment 51 with the passages 66.

A threaded hole 67 is formed in the top of the Water-jacket and centrally of its length, and from this hole an oil-passage extends to the interior of the cylinder through a stem 68, which extends from the jacket to the cylinder shell and is integral therewith. A suitable oil-cup 69 is screwed into the hole 67, and thus the lubricant is admitted to the interior of the cylinder.

The operation of the improved air compressor and intercooler is as follows: A supply of cold water is first admitted to the wa ter-chamber surrounding the cylinder and is kept circulating, so as to cool the air as it is compressed in the cylinder, and the piston is given a reciprocating motion by any suitable application of power. rearward air is drawn into the air-space 26 in the front cylinder-head and passes through the valves 33 into the cylinder. On the forward stroke of the piston this air is compressed and forced out through the cylinderholes 58 and valves 53 into compartment 47, whence it passes though the large pipes 44 into the air-compartment 50 at the opposite end of the cylinder. The course of the air is now reversed and it passes through the two side groups of pipes 45 into the lower compartment 48 at the front end of the cylinder, where its course is again reversed and it passes into the lower group of pipes 46 to the lower air-compartment 51 at the rear end of the cylinder and thence through the passages 66 in the rear cylinder-head to a suitable place of storage. l Vhile the piston moves forward and the air which entered at the forward end of the cylinder has been compressed and forced through the various groups of pipes in the manner just described air is also being drawn into the rear cylinder-head 63, whence it passes tln'ough the circular series of inletvalves 64 into the rear end of the cylinder. As the piston moves rearward this air is compressed and forced out through the holes 58 and outlet-valves 53 into the upper aircompartment 50 at the rear end of the cylinder, where it mingles with the compressed air from the forward end of the cylinder and flows with it through the two side groups of pipes 45 to the lower air-compartment 48 at the front end of the cylinder, thence through the bottom group of pipes 46 to the lower air- As the piston moves compartment 51 at the rear end of the cylinder, where it passes out through the air-passages 66 to suitable storage-tanks and is led through a suitable pipe or pipes which may be connected to the passages 66, which are not shown, as the cylinder illustrated in Fig. 1 is a divisional part of my application, Serial No. 125,539, 'liled October 1, 1902. The reverse directions in which the air travels in passing through the several groups of pipes thoroughly mixes it, and the con stantlycirculating water in the jacket will so reduce the temperature of the air that as it leaves the compressor it will be of an evenlycool temperature.

\Vhile a preferred number and arrangement of air-pipes and outlet and inlet valves is illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that their number may be increased or diminished to suit cylinders of different sizes and that the arrangement of pipes and aircompartments may be varied without depart ing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An air compressor and cooler, comprising a cylinder and piston, a valved outlet and air-compartment at each end of said cylinder, and. continuous cooling-passages connecting said compartments and so arranged that the same passages carry compressed air delivered by each stroke of said piston.

2. An air compressor and cooler, comprising a cylinder and piston, a valved outlet and air-compartment at each end of said cylinder, continuous cooling-passages connecting said compartments and arranged to carry the compressed air delivered by each stroke of said piston, and partitions subdividing said compartments into sections which communicate with different groups of coolingpassages.

3. In a combined air compressor and intercooler, the combination of an air-compressing cylinder having a surrounding waterjackct, an air-compartment at each end of said water-jacket, a plurality of continuous air-pipes extending through said waterjacket from one air-compartment to the other, and valved ports arranged to deliver air from each end of the cylinder into an aircompartment and thence through said pipes.

4. In a combined air-compressor and airintercooler, the combination with the cylinder and the piston, of a cylindrical shell surrounding said cylinder, a water-space bc tween said shell and said cylinder, means for admitting and discharging cold water to and from said water-space, an air-compartment at each end of said water-space, a plurality of continuous air-pipes extending through said water-space from one air-compartment to the other, and valved orts arranged to deliver air from each end olthe cylinder into an IIO air-compartment and thence through said pipes.

5. In a combined air-compressor and airintercooler, the combination with the cylinder and the piston, of a water-jacket surrounding said cylinder, having its ends in termediate of the ends of the cylinder, an air-space between the ends of said waterjacket and the ends of said cylinder, air-pipes extending through said water-jacket from one air-compartment to the other, valved ports arranged to deliver air from each end of the cylinder into an air-compartment and thence through said pipes, and air-compartment cylinder-heads at each end of said cylinder,

6. In a combined air-compressor and airintercooler, the combination with the cylinder and the piston, of a water-jacket sur rounding said cylinder intermediate of its ends, a plurality of continuous air-pipes arranged axially of said cylinder through said water-jacket, cylinder-heads at each end of said cylinder provided with an annular air compartment between said cylinder-heads and said water-jacket, a plurality of air-inlet valves in said cylinder-heads, arranged to admit air to said cylinder, and valved ports arranged to deliver air from each end of the cylinder into an air-compartment and thence through said pipes.

7. In a combined air-compressor and airintercooler, the combination with the cylinder and the piston, of a water-jacket surrounding said cylinder intermediate of its ends, a plurality of air-pipes arranged axially of said cylinder through said waterjacket, cylinder-heads at each end of said cylinder provided with an annular air-compartment between said cylinder-heads and said water-jacket, a plurality of air-inlet valves in said cylinder-heads arranged to admit air to said cylinder, valved ports arranged to deliver air from each end o'f'the cylinder into an air-compartment and thence through said pipes, and partitions arranged in said air-compartments, to reverse the direction of the flow of air through said air-pipes.

8. In a combined air compressor and intercooler, the combination with the cylinder and the piston, of a water-jacket surrounding said cylinder intermediate of its ends, a plurality of air-pipes arranged axially of said cylinder through said water-jacket, cylinderheads at each end of said cylinder provided with annular air-compartments between said cylinder-heads and said water-jacket, a plurality of air-inlet valves in said cylinderheads arranged to admit air to said cylinder, valved ports arranged to deliver air from each end of the cylinder into an air-compartment and thence through said pipes, partitions in said air-compartments, which reverse the direction of the flow of air through the air-pipes, and means, as independent groups of said air-pipes, which cause the air taken at each end of the cylinder to mingle in the air-compartments.

9 In a combined air compressor and intercooler, the combination with the cylinder and piston of a water-jacket surrounding said cylinder intermediate of its ends an airspace formed between each end of said water-jacket and the end of the cylinder, each of said air-spaces being divided by par titions into an upper and lower compartment, openings at each end of the cylinder which communicate with the said upper air-compartments and valves which normally close said openings; a group of large air -pipes which extend through the water-jacket, and connect the upper air-compartments at each end of the cylinder; a group of smaller pipes which connect the upper air-compartment at the rear end of the cylinder, with the lower air-compartment at the forward end ofthe cylinder, and a group of similar pipes, which connect the lower, forward air-compartment with the lower rear air-compartment, cylinder-heads at each end of the cylinder having air-spaces which connect with the atmosphere; inletvalv'es in said heads which admit air into the interior of the cylinder; and air-passages formed by partitions in the airspace of the rear cylinder-head, which separate the compressed air as it passes to a place of storage, from the air which is drawn into the cylinder-head; the air being caused to travel backward and forward through the several groups of pipes and to be thoroughly cooled thereby, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN GEORGE LEYNER.

Witnesses:

CLARENCE A. LAWSON, LUTHER H. WVYGANT, Jr. 

